The following scouting reports were taken from Pro Football Weekly's 2013 Draft Preview book, which is now on sale. You can order it today through the PFW Store, or by calling 1-800-FOOTBALL (Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT).

QB Matt Barkley, #7 USCPFW Grade: 6.03Ht: 6-21/2 | Wt: 227 | Sp: 4.95e | Arm: 305/8 | Hand: 101/8Notes: His father, Les, was an All-American water polo player at USC (1976-79) and brother, Sam, is a hurdler on the USC track team. A four-year starter who threw for 9,487 yards and 78 touchdowns as a California prep. Suffered a broken collarbone in his first year of high school, when he was allowed to call his own plays. Became the first junior to be named Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2007 after throwing for 3,576 yards and 35 touchdowns. Enrolled at USC in time for spring practice in ’09 and was named the starter in the fall as a true freshman. In 12 starts, he completed 211-of-352 pass attempts (59.9 percent) for 2,735 yards with 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Became the first USC true freshman ever to start an opener and the first true freshman to start an opener at QB for an AP Top Five team since Michigan’s Rick Leach in 1975. Missed the Washington game with a bruised right shoulder. Had surgery on his right wrist to relieve stiffness and inflammation prior to ’10 spring practice. In the fall, threw for 236-377-2,791-26-12 (62.6) in 12 starts. Was sidelined for second half of the Oregon State game and against Notre Dame with a high ankle sprain. Had a record-setting ’11 campaign with 308-446-3,528-39-7 (69.1) in 12 starts. Set the Pac-12 record for touchdown passes and broke the school mark for completion percentage. Became the top signalcaller in USC history in ’12 after hitting 246-387-3,273-36-15 (63.6) in 11 starts. Suffered a sprained AC joint (type III) in his throwing (right) shoulder on a hit against UCLA and missed the final two games of his collegiate career. Finished with 20 USC career, season and game marks with 10 also being Pac-12 records. Was the winner of the Wuerffel Trophy, awarded for exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement. Was USC’s first-ever three-time captain and had a 34-13 record in 47 career starts. Did not work out at the Combine to rest his throwing shoulder.Positives: Thickly built. Experienced four-year starter in a pro-style offense with progression NFL reads. Terrific football intelligence. Good decision-maker — knows when and where to go with the ball. Throws on balance with a smooth, fluid delivery. Good enough arm strength to connect deep — can drop it in a bucket and showed improved deep accuracy as a senior. Good short-to-intermediate accuracy and overall anticipation. Tough and will deliver with pressure barreling down — good poise and on-field demeanor. Can sidestep the rush and manipulate coverage with his eyes. Outstanding intangibles and leadership traits — commands respect from teammates. Rallied comeback wins throughout his career, from the time he was the first freshman to start for a top-5-ranked team since 1975 against Ohio State, to Oregon (2011) and Utah (2012). Very intelligent with an engaging personality. Team tempo-setter. Can elevate a locker room, uplift an organization and represent a franchise with integrity. Very strong support structure. Is a pro’s pro and football is very important to him. Highly determined.Negatives: Has short arms and average grip strength (student manager was fired for deflating balls). Does not snap it quickly and spiral is not tight. Heavy-footed and cannot improvise or create with his feet. Cannot easily manipulate his arm and throwing platform under duress and the ball dies when he can’t step into it. Does not drive the ball down the field with high RPMs. Not quick-eyed — many throws are pre-determined at the line, and he will hold the ball too long on some progressions. Can be streaky (see Washington). Never beat Stanford’s pro-style defense in four years.Summary: A cool, confident, rhythm passer who suffered as a senior behind a leaky, injured offensive line that left little time to throw. Looked much more comfortable as a junior with an elite left tackle. Is slow-footed and could be more prone to injury in the pros and take some time to adapt to live NFL bullets. Leadership traits, strength of character and football IQ will allow to operate at a high level in a play-action passing game with a clean pocket and a talented cast of receivers. Can become a very solid NFL starter and thrive with a strong supporting cast. A cross between Drew Brees and Colt McCoy.NFL projection: First-round pick.

QB Geno Smith, #12West VirginiaPFW Grade: 5.39Ht: 6-23/8 | Wt: 218 | Sp: 4.59 | Arm: 321/2 | Hand: 91/4Notes: His cousin, Melvin Bratton, was a star running back for the Miami Hurricanes in the late 1980s. The Florida prep was a Parade All-American selection after throwing for over 3,000 yards and 32 touchdowns. Saw limited action in five games as a true freshman in 2009, completing 32-of-49 passes for 309 yards (65.3 percent) with one touchdown and one interception while playing through a broken fifth metatarsal in his left foot for part of the season. Took over as the starter in ’10 and tossed 241-372-2,763-24-7 (64.8) in 13 starts. Was the first West Virginia QB in 12 years to throw for over 2,500 yards in a season. Garnered heavy recognition for ’11 season, setting the Big East Conference and school mark for passing yards with 346-526-4,385-31-7 (65.8), in addition to becoming the first Mountaineer QB in history and only the second Big East player to surpass 4,000 yards in a season in 13 starts. Named Orange Bowl MVP after throwing for 407 yards and six touchdowns against Clemson. Set the school record and led the Big 12 Conference in touchdown passes in ’12 after tossing 369-518-4,205-42-6 (a conference-leading 71.2) in 13 starts. Threw for 656 yards and eight touchdowns in a 70-63 shootout victory against Baylor. Had a 26-13 record in 39 career starts.Positives: Has a strong arm and can rifle the ball with good velocity into tight windows. Can throw with accuracy on the move and layer the deep ball. Good overall accuracy, ball placement and touch, especially on the fade route. Throws a very catchable ball — spins it tightly. Good escapability — can sidestep the rush, find an open throwing window and extend plays with his feet when needed. Outstanding straight-line speed — clocked the best 40-yard time (4.56 seconds) and broad jump (10-foot-4) of any quarterback at the Combine. Very durable, experienced, three-year starter — overcame an average offensive line, has never missed any time to injury and will play through pain.Negatives: Operated an offense where he received adjustments from the sidelines and was often out of sync with receivers. Average field vision and coverage recognition — forces throws and does not work through progressions. Takes unnecessary sacks and does not feel pressure well. Not an elusive scrambler. Shaky lower-body mechanics — does not stand tall in the pocket (crouches, hops, dances and elevates to his toes when he throws). Has pin legs and bad pocket posture. Operated almost exclusively from the gun. Not a student of the game. Nonchalant field presence — does not command respect from teammates and cannot inspire. Mild practice demeanor — no urgency. Not committed or focused — marginal work ethic. Interviewed poorly at the Combine and did not show an understanding of concepts on the white board. Opted not to compete at the Senior Bowl and has approached offseason training as if he has already arrived and it shows in his body with minimal muscle definition or strength. Has small hands and glaring ball security issues (32 career fumbles). Really struggled handling the snow in Pinstripe Bowl (took two safeties) and will be troubled by the elements. Needed to be coddled in college — cannot handle hard coaching.Summary: Started the season red-hot with the help of two playmaking receivers and created a national stir generating a lot of overexcitement in the scouting community. Quickly came down to earth after Kansas State disguised coverages and brought pressure he could not handle and he finished dropping six of his final eight games. A cross between Akili Smith and Aaron Brooks, Smith is a gimmick, overhyped product of the system lacking the football savvy, work habits and focus to cement a starting job and could drain energy from a QB room. Will be overdrafted and struggle to produce against NFL defensive complexities.NFL projection: Top-50 pick

Casserly basically backed everything Nawrocki wrote, although he couched it in safer terms and did note that at least one issue has improved over time. I'm sure we'll hear about how racist Casserly is now, too.

At what point did Casserly say, "I think Geno Smith is Akili Smith because I'm a ****ing idiot who doesn't back up my worthless opinions?"

Those are only ever the people who got called racists in the Geno Smith thread. Because they ****ing are.

Also, if you're going to put your eggs in the Casserly basket, you're too stupid to be any assistance. Casserly was Pioli before Pioli was Pioli.

At what point did Casserly say, "I think Geno Smith is Akili Smith because I'm a ****ing idiot who doesn't back up my worthless opinions?"

Those are only ever the people who got called racists in the Geno Smith thread. Because they ****ing are.

Also, if you're going to put your eggs in the Casserly basket, you're too stupid to be any assistance. Casserly was ***** before ***** was *****.

I was talking about his breakdown of the specific points. And that's not just Casserly. As I pointed out earlier, McShay has also backed up some of the points. There seems to be a pretty close consensus on his on-field stuff and a significant split on his off-field and character stuff. Calling it racism is just stupidity.

As for your comment regarding being called racist: from AlexSmithDynasty, earlier in this thread:

Quote:

I don't think Geno is a great prospect but this dude's criticism is over the top. How can he say he's not respected by teammates, it just sounds ridiculous. The fact that he gives Barkley so much credit for leadership but none to Smith just makes him sound like a straight up racist.

I was talking about his breakdown of the specific points. And that's not just Casserly. As I pointed out earlier, McShay has also backed up some of the points. There seems to be a pretty close consensus on his on-field stuff and a significant split on his off-field and character stuff. Calling it racism is just stupidity.

As for your comment regarding being called racist: from AlexSmithDynasty, earlier in this thread:

On Sportscenter earlier McShay only knocked Geno for his emotions. Everything else he said wasn't accurate according to 10 scouts he had spoken to. When a guy talks shit on you with 15+ different points and then someone says they only heard one or two of those things were true from a few of their 10 sources, it seems that the original report wants to besmirch Geno Smith. It comes off as a vendetta, when all major news outlets from major ESPN and NFL networks to local sports talk radio use the term scathing, that shows that alot of people don't put alot of truth into the report. Racism? A little bit of a stretch. Coming off as an asshole with an axe to grind? Most definetly.

On Sportscenter earlier McShay only knocked Geno for his emotions. Everything else he said wasn't accurate according to 10 scouts he had spoken to.

Incorrect. He acknowledge the on-field issues in passing as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gravedigger

When a guy talks shit on you with 15+ different points and then someone says they only heard one or two of those things were true from a few of their 10 sources, it seems that the original report wants to besmirch Geno Smith. It comes off as a vendetta, when all major news outlets from major ESPN and NFL networks to local sports talk radio use the term scathing, that shows that alot of people don't put alot of truth into the report. Racism? A little bit of a stretch. Coming off as an asshole with an axe to grind? Most definetly.

It comes off as people with different sources and different interpretations. Responses like yours come off as people who can't think because they let their emotions get in the way. Hell, ESPN's big hang up was that the wording was "harsh", for crying out loud.

I'm not saying the guy's right, but he got a lot right about Newton. Instead of everyone jumping down the man's throat, perhaps some further investigation would be appropriate. Casserly seems to have done it, and he's found some similar reports.

It comes off as people with different sources and different interpretations. Responses like yours come off as people who can't think because they let their emotions get in the way. Hell, ESPN's big hang up was that the wording was "harsh", for crying out loud.

Seems like you're on a mission to stand up for the report. If I don't agree with the report as you do, I'm a person who can't think because my emotions get in the way. Some of the on-field issues have been discussed many times before: people have said many times that he has an inability to read defenses quickly. Everyone has seen the pinstripe bowl reactions and how he fell apart against college's better defenses. You're not bringing any new information to the argument. We've discussed this, and you're hanging onto a few bits of information out of a massive scathing review.

You make up your own opinion obviously, and that's fine, but all your response was is the same drivel you've spouted for multiple posts. We get it, you agree with PFW's report of Geno over the many other reports out there. I choose to see it differently, but you can keep calling people names and saying they can't think, when if that's the best insult you have for my responses, you come off as the person who can't think. Next time just call someone a stupidhead and walk away like the immature child you come off as. You're a broken record like Blackmon is a broken record about the Chiefs taking Joeckel and how Pen*whatever the heck his name is* is pro Geno no matter what. It's boring, find some new material, then give us a reason why we should care about your responses based on intelligence, not just "You can't think, your emtions get in the way.!"

Casserly is a terrible terrible person. This is why he's not even with any NFL franchises. He made the Houston Texans extremely mediocre and theres a reason he's been out of work for awhile. NFL network and ESPN collect these guys, call them experts, put them in front of a camera and let them talk till they get their point across. Herm did it when he was fired and Scott Pioli is doing it now. I don't even know how the hell Lombardi got a job again, but since it's with the Browns I understand it.

If I don't agree with the report as you do, I'm a person who can't think because my emotions get in the way.

I neither said, nor intended, any such interpretation of my words. It has nothing to do with agreement or disagreement. You tried to build a case around the word "scathing", for crying out loud.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gravedigger

Some of the on-field issues have been discussed many times before: people have said many times that he has an inability to read defenses quickly. Everyone has seen the pinstripe bowl reactions and how he fell apart against college's better defenses. You're not bringing any new information to the argument. We've discussed this, and you're hanging onto a few bits of information out of a massive scathing review.

I didn't claim to be bringing in any new information, other than pointing out what Casserly and McShay have said.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gravedigger

You make up your own opinion obviously, and that's fine, but all your response was is the same drivel you've spouted for multiple posts. We get it, you agree with PFW's report of Geno over the many other reports out there. I choose to see it differently, but you can keep calling people names and saying they can't think, when if that's the best insult you have for my responses, you come off as the person who can't think. Next time just call someone a stupidhead and walk away like the immature child you come off as. You're a broken record like Blackmon is a broken record about the Chiefs taking Joeckel and how Pen*whatever the heck his name is* is pro Geno no matter what. It's boring, find some new material, then give us a reason why we should care about your responses based on intelligence, not just "You can't think, your emtions get in the way.!"

So, bottom line, you're a Geno fan and you can't accept that someone criticized him, so you're taking it out on me when I wasn't discussing Smith's talents, and you assume I agree with reports because I've noted that those reports weren't just from one person, even when I've noted that there's a significant split on some of the reports. Got it.

Casserly basically backed everything Nawrocki wrote, although he couched it in safer terms and did note that at least one issue has improved over time. I'm sure we'll hear about how racist Casserly is now, too.

Not really.

Casserly was more in-depth with his reasoning and formed his opinion in a way of questioning certain aspects of Geno Smith, which I believe is legitimate and perfectly fine (outside of his grades, as we really won't know unless someone decides to steal and post his transcript).

Nawrocki wrote his evaluation to completely belittle and dismiss Geno Smith as a prospect and came across as unprofessional and bigoted.

Casserly was more in-depth with his reasoning and formed his opinion in a way of questioning certain aspects of Geno Smith, which I believe is legitimate and perfectly fine (outside of his grades, as we really won't know unless someone decides to steal and post his transcript).

Nawrocki wrote his evaluation to completely belittle and dismiss Geno Smith as a prospect and came across as unprofessional and bigoted.

What are you talking about? It's pretty clear you didn't even read the report.

Quote:

Has a strong arm and can rifle the ball with good velocity into tight windows. Can throw with accuracy on the move and layer the deep ball. Good overall accuracy, ball placement and touch, especially on the fade route. Throws a very catchable ball — spins it tightly. Good escapability — can sidestep the rush, find an open throwing window and extend plays with his feet when needed. Outstanding straight-line speed — clocked the best 40-yard time (4.56 seconds) and broad jump (10-foot-4) of any quarterback at the Combine. Very durable, experienced, three-year starter — overcame an average offensive line, has never missed any time to injury and will play through pain.

Completely belittling and bigoted!

__________________

“The American people are tired of liars and people who pretend to be something they’re not.” - Hillary Clinton

On NFL Live last night, McShay spoke about it some more. He acknowledged hearing things like those that Nawrocki was pointing out, and his area of complete disagreement was about the work effort. Mortensen agreed with McShay about the work effort aspect, and said that he felt Nawrocki was over the top with the way he worded things.

So, listening to the various analysts, what we may well have here is a guy (Nawrocki) who got it all/mostly/largely right, but was out of date with the work effort stuff (might have been right earlier in Smith's college career), and was harsh enough in his wording that sports shows desperate for something to talk about were able to use him to fill up the airwaves.

Negatives: Has short arms and average grip strength (student manager was fired for deflating balls). Does not snap it quickly and spiral is not tight. Heavy-footed and cannot improvise or create with his feet. Cannot easily manipulate his arm and throwing platform under duress and the ball dies when he can’t step into it. Does not drive the ball down the field with high RPMs. Not quick-eyed — many throws are pre-determined at the line, and he will hold the ball too long on some progressions. Can be streaky (see Washington).